Picked up by the eagled-eyed 9to5Google, today the Google app was updated to version 8.14 and it contains new code which goes a long way to confirming both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will add what is arguably the range’s biggest omission: wireless charging.

Pixel 3 XL Concept

Concept Creator

The giveaway in the updated Google App comes via a string of code referencing a new smart ‘Pixel Stand’. This operates like a smart speaker, gaining access to the Google Assistant by pairing with a Pixel while the phone’s display becomes a contextual, glanceable screen in response to the questions asked.

This functionality requires a Pixel owner to give explicit permission to access this data. As the new Google app code reveals:

<string name=”trusted_dock_action_text”>I Agree</string>

<string name=”trusted_dock_cancel_text”>No thanks</string>

<string name=”trusted_dock_message”>Your Assistant can use your personal info to make suggestions, answer questions, and take actions for you when your phone is locked and on your Pixel Stand</string>

<string name=”trusted_dock_title”>Get personalized help when your phone is on your Pixel Stand</string>

But what about the wireless charging part?

This comes together via a previous version of the Google App which the company launched in June. Code within that version gave away that Google is working on a wireless charging dock codenamed ‘dreamliner’. Given neither the Pixel nor Pixel 2 have wireless charging, their development suggested it must be for the Pixel 3. Now we have the ‘Pixel Stand’.

Pixel 3 XL leaked prototype was verified as real

XDA Forums

Adding icing to this cake is the prior leak of a Pixel 3XL prototype which was found to have replaced the metal and glass back of the Pixel and Pixel 2 with gloss and matt glass. Apple made a similar transition from metal to glass last year with the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X and it was specifically to introduce the conductivity required for wireless charging.